Business Collaboration and Respect

Respecting the value that others bring to us in Business is an essential element of collaboration, something that can’t be underestimated. Too often we can leave others feeling that we dismiss what they have done, perhaps even treating it with disdain, usually not intentionally. Too often we leave others feeling undervalued and misunderstood, perhaps we have not recognised the effort and attention to detail that has been shown, at least in the way that they expected.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent

Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady of the United States

Yet, sometimes we choose to accept the consent of our co-workers, and partners, without really questioning it. We should not.

Respect is one of those things that’s easier to spot when it is absent than when it is present. In the xTEN Club we advocate the concept of “Undivided Attentive Presence”. We think that this is the key, not just to showing respect, but to it being perceived, and mirrored. In all situations understanding what, and who, needs our attention is often hard to get precisely right.

Undivided because other things should not interrupt or divert your attention – so turn of the phone, silence the incoming email and text beeps and give all your attention to the matter in hand.

Attentive means paying proper attention to what is happening, not just listening to the words, and what needs to happen, and maintaining the level of attention throughout the activity.

Presence, being ‘in the room’ all the time, paying attention to the environment, and the needs of those around us.

Undivided attentive presence – It’s the most respectful thing we can do.